The White House isn’t able to directly manage local areas that opt out of cash bail for defendants, especially those who repeatedly offend. Nevertheless, experts suggest that the president has options in addressing rising crime rates.
Recently, President Donald Trump unveiled an executive order aimed at curbing the expansion of cashless bail. Within a month, he worked with Attorney General Pam Bondi to list jurisdictions enforcing this policy and told other federal agencies to consider suspending grants or contracts linked to these areas.
“As president, I need policies that ensure the safety of Americans by detaining individuals known to pose threats,” Trump stated in the order. “Thus, my administration believes that federal resources should not support areas with cashless bail.”
In D.C., where his influence is stronger, Trump instructed the Department of Justice to seek pretrial detentions when feasible.
“While he might not control law enforcement in every city or region, he does hold the financial reins,” noted Randolph Rice, a legal analyst from Baltimore. “He can choose to withhold funding, pressuring these areas to accept federal support.”
Rice pointed out that Trump’s intervention has had a noticeable impact; Mayor Muriel Bowser reported that carjackings dropped over 80% in just 20 days.
“This illustrates the challenges of addressing crime, especially if local leaders, like mayors or governors, resist accepting assistance,” he added, referencing families affected by violence, such as the relatives of Rachel Morin, who lost her life to an illegal immigrant two years ago.
“It’s like having a house on fire,” Rice explained. “If the fire department offers help, but you refuse, you can’t complain when things worsen.”
Under cashless bail systems, individuals can be released before trial without needing to post bail. “So, they appear in court within 24 hours, and if the judge decides to let them go, there’s no real follow-up,” Rice noted. “The situation lacks real consequences.”
Such policies have gained traction in progressive jurisdictions, despite ongoing criticism that they are too lenient towards offenders.
In March 2022, a 31-year-old named John Wan Elliott shot a 37-year-old at a bus stop. At the time, he was released while awaiting trial for unrelated charges, despite a prior robbery conviction.
Trump has spoken against cashless bail, calling it a “complete disaster” that drives crime and endangers police.
A California survey in 2023 showed violent crime tripled with the introduction of a “zero bail” policy.
“Every case deserves evaluation by a judge, who can assess the individual’s history and current situation, determining the risk they pose,” Rice emphasized. “It’s crucial.”
Additionally, Rice highlighted another form of cashless bail known as unsecured bonds, where a bond amount is set but only requires payment if a person misses their court date. “It’s ironic because if someone skips court, they likely won’t pay the bond either,” he remarked. “Cashless bail is gaining traction in many liberal areas, though it often backfires.”
He pointed out that those released for minor offenses tend to commit more crimes, escalating issues like shoplifting and robbery even as murder rates decline.
In Baltimore, data suggests that victims have a better chance of surviving shootings now than they did years ago. “We save individuals who were shot in previous years,” he explained. “Thus, while murder rates may drop, the frequency of shootings remains constant or even increases, highlighting ongoing crime challenges in the city.”
